Repeat hopes fall short

Maine-Fort Kent wins 81-63 in the Championship Game

Concord, NH - The fantastic 2009-2010 Fisher College Men's Basketball season came to a close today as the University of Maine at Fort Kent beat the Falcons by a score of 81-63.

The Bengal offense was just too much for Fisher to handle as they out scored the Falcons 43-27 in the second half.

The Falcons were led offensively by junior Oscar Brown (Buffalo, NY) and freshman Jasmin Handanovic (Milford, NH) who score 14 points each. Brown also collected 11 rebounds to record a double-double. Also recording double digit points and rebounds was junior Casey Pursell (Seattle, WA) who had 11 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

The season is now over for the Fisher College Falcons, who fall to 24-6. The University of Maine at Fort Kent will advance to the NAIA Division II National Tournament which is held in Point Lookout, MO.

One down, One to go

Fisher Men outlast Maine-Machias, Fort Kent is next!

Casey Pursell (above) has led the Falcons to their second straight Sunrise Conference Championship game.

Concord, NH - The Fisher College Men's Basketball team secured a return trip to the Conference Championship Game tonight by upsetting the University of Maine at Machias, 82-67, in front of a large crowd at New Hampshire Technical Institute.

It was a hard fought win for the now 24-5 Falcons. At halftime, the score was tied at 38. The two teams continued to battle until about the 12 minute mark of the second half when Sunrise Conference Player of the Year, junior Louis Williams (Burlington, VT), and classmate Casey Pursell (Seattle, WA) knocked down consecutive baskets. Fisher held on to a 7 point lead with five minutes remaining and then proceeded to make a 12-4 run to end the game.

There were plenty of outstanding performances in tonight's game. Both Pursell and junior Oscar Brown (Buffalo, NY) had a double-double. Pursell had 22 points and 13 rebounds while Brown had 13 points and 13 rebounds. Defensive wizard, senior Ryan Henry (Westwood, NJ), recorded six steals and 16 points including an important steal late in the game which secured the win. Freshman Jasmin Handanovic (Milford, NH) also recorded 16 points in the victory.

Fisher will face off against their rival, the University of Maine at Fort Kent tomorrow at 3pm. The winner locks up the Sunrise Conference Tournament title and will advance to the NAIA Division II Tournament in Point Lookout, MO.

There will be a fan bus leaving the campus of Fisher College tomorrow at 1pm. Tickets to the game are free of charge. Make the trip up to Concord and cheer on your Falcons to victory!

Sunrise Conference Award Winners Announced

Sunrise Conference Player of the Year
Louis Williams

Concord, NH -It was announced tonight at the 8th annual Sunrise Conference Basketball Banquet that Fisher College junior Louis Williams (Burlington, VT) has been named the Sunrise Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year. On the season, Williams has led the Falcon offense in total points (513) and points per game (18.3). Williams also recorded his 1,000th career point back on December 3, 2009.

"It is a great honor to be awarded the Conference Player of the Year," stated Williams. "But right now my mind is focused on the task at hand, and that is to beat Maine-Machias tomorrow night."

Williams was also selected to the Sunrise Conference All Conference 1st Team along with classmate Casey Pursell (Seattle, WA). Pursell averaged 16.7 points in the 24 games that he played in.

All Conference 1st Team Members, Williams and Pursell

On the women's side, both senior Leslie Wadhams (Burlington, VT) and junior Tiffany Beckman (East Hartford, CT) were selected to the Sunrise Conference All Conference 2nd Team tonight. Beckman averaged 14.0 points in the 27 games that she appeared in. Wadhams not only provided leadership on the squad, she also recorded an average of 10.3 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game.

Just a reminder fans, the Fisher College Men's Basketball team will take on the University of Maine at Machias tomorrow night at 7pm. The game will be played at New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord, NH.

"Fan Vans" will be leaving the College at 5pm. Admission to the game is now free, courtesy of Head Coach Dave Lindberg. Make sure you show up and support your Falcons!

Sunrise Conference Tournament Time!

The Fisher College Men's Basketball team will take on the University of Maine at Machias in the semi-final round of the 2010 Sunrise Conference Tournament. Game time is set for 7pm on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord, NH.

There will be "fan vans" available. They will depart Fisher around 5 pm. Tickets are just $4.00 for students. There will be no charge for transportation. Space is limited, so RSVP now!

Fisher Men get back on track with a win at Vermont Tech

Casey Pursell is back in action for the 23-4 Falcons

Randolph Center, VT - With the return of junior Casey Pursell (Seattle, WA), the Fisher College Men's Basketball team beat Vermont Technical College, 88-66. Pursell, limited by a knee injury last weekend, scored 15 points in his first game action since February 7th.

Junior Louis Williams (Burlington, VT) continued to impress as he dropped in 22 points and collected 8 rebounds. He was also on fire from beyond the arc - shooting at a 50% clip (4 for 8). Fellow classmate Oscar Brown (Buffalo, NY) had 12 rebounds to lead the team on the night. Senior Ryan Henry (Westwood, NJ) contributed a solid effort as he scored 20 points. Also playing well for the Falcons was freshman Jasmin Handanovic (Milfrod, NH) who added 12 points in the victory.

Fisher now improves to 23-4 on the season and 10-3 in Sunrise Conference play. With their 23rd win, the 2009-2010 Men's basketball team now holds the program record for most wins in a season. The previous record was 22 wins set by last year's squad.

Next up, Fisher will travel to Rutland, Vermont on Sunday, February 21, 2010 for the regular season finale against the College of Saint Joseph. Game time is set for 2pm.

PLAYOFF UPDATE

The Fisher College Men's Basketball team will take on the University of Maine at Machias in the semi-final round of the 2010 Sunrise Conference Tournament. Game time is set for 7pm on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord, NH.

There will be "fan vans" available if there is enough interest. Please contact Anthony Perry (aperry@fisher.edu) and reserve your spot. Tickets are just $4.00 for students. There will be no charge for transportation. Space is limited, so RSVP now!

Beckman reaches milestone in loss at Machias

#15 Tiffany Beckman

Machias, ME - Junior Tiffany Beckman (East Hartford, CT) became the first Fisher College Lady Falcon to score 1,000 points in her career. She scored point #1,000 during the first half of today's 65-49 loss at the University of Maine at Machias.

"It is very exciting to know that I am the first Lady Falcon to score 1,000 points." stated Beckman after the game. "This was one of my personal goals and I'm just so happy to have accomplished it."

Beckman recorded 18 points and seniors Jackie Streeter (Westminster, MA) and Leslie Wadhams (Burlington, VT) added 9 points each for the Lady Falcons.

With the loss, Fisher falls to 6-20 on the season with a 3-8 mark in Sunrise Conference play. The Lady Falcons will finish up their season on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at the College of Saint Joseph in Vermont.

Men's Basketball

Machias, ME - The Fisher College Men lost a tough one in overtime at Machias, 83-80. Junior Louis Williams (Burlington, VT) scored 22 points while fellow classmate Oscar Brown (Buffalo, NY) and freshman Jasmin Handanovic (Milford, NH) added 16 points each to pace the Falcon offense. Brown collected 15 rebounds to record his 8th double-double of the season. Senior Ryan Henry (Westwood, NJ) chipped in 17 points in the loss.

Fisher has lost three in a row after an impressive 20 game winning streak. Their record now stands at 22-4 for the season and 9-3 in Sunrise Conference action. Fisher will look to rebound from the tough Maine excursion as they travel to Randolph Center, Vermont on Thursday, February, 18, 2010 for a Sunrise Conference match up versus Vermont Technical College.

Basketball teams fall at Maine-Presque Isle

Louis Williams scored 35 points vs. UMPI

Presque Isle, ME - For the second consecutive game, the Fisher Men's Basketball team was limited to just seven players as junior Casey Pursell (Seattle, WA) has been shelved due to injury.

On the road at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, the Fisher Men fell by a score of 95-85. Junior Louis Williams (Burlington, VT) scored a season high 35 points for the Falcons. Fellow classmate, Oscar Brown (Buffalo, NY) recorded a double-double as he scored 10 points and collected 12 rebounds. Also playing well for the Falcons were freshmen Rich Brewer (Wethersfield, CT), who chipped in 13 points and Jasmin Handanovic (Milford, NH) added 10 points.

With the loss, Fisher now stands at 22-3 on the season with a 9-2 mark in the Sunrise Conference.

Womens Basketball

Presque Isle, ME - Senior Leslie Wadhams (Burlington, VT) scored 18 points but that was not enough as the University of Maine at Presque Isle upends the Lady Falcons, 69-53.

Junior Tiffany Beckman (East Hartford, CT) continues her trek toward 1,000 career points as she scored 14 in the loss. She now has 991 points in 74 career games.

Both the Women and Men's teams will enjoy a day off tomorrow. They will face off against the University of Maine at Machias on Monday afternoon in the final game of their three game road trip.

The streak comes to a hault, as Fisher Men lose at Fort Kent, 86-64

Fort Kent, ME - The incredible 20 game winning streak ended tonight as the University of Maine at Fort Kent beat Fisher College by a score of 86-64.

Fisher (22-2, 9-1) played without junior Casey Pursell (Seattle, WA). Casey was sidelined by a nagging knee injury which flared up last week. Junior Louis Williams (Burlington, VT) continued to play at a phenominal level as he racked up 22 points in the loss. Also playing well in the loss was senior Ryan Henry (Westwood, NJ) who chipped in 20 points.

Suffering just their second loss of the season (first in 2010), the Fisher Men will return to the court tomorrow afternoon against University of Maine at Presque Isle.

Senior Sweep

Roxbury, MA - On "Senior Sunday", both the Women and the Men recorded victories over Paul Smiths College.

Men's Basketball

Seniors Ryan Henry, Juan Inoa and Casey Pursell

Playing in his last home game as a Fisher Falcon, junior Casey Pursell (Seattle, WA) scored a game high 28 points to lead Fisher College to a 99-79 Sunrise Conference win over Paul Smiths College (NY). Pursell and junior Louis Williams (Burlington, VT) paced the Falcon offense all afternoon. Williams contributed 22 points and 12 assists while classmate Oscar Brown (Buffalo, NY) added 17 points and 12 rebounds in the victory. Another senior Falcon went out on top, as Ryan Henry (Westwood, NJ) scored 16 points.

With the win, Fisher College improves to 22-1. That mark is the NAIA Division II's best record. Fisher is also riding a 20 game winning streak which is also the longest active streak in NAIA Division II.

Women's Basketball

Seniors Leslie Wadhams, Kianesha Dennis, Jackie Streeter and Head Coach Troy Smith

Junior Tiffany Beckman (East Hartford, CT) made sure the seniors of 2010 would finish with a win as she scored 20 points in a 76-23 win over Paul Smiths College (NY).

With her 20 points, Beckman is now just 33 points away from becoming the first Fisher College Women's Basketball player to reach 1,000 career points.

"Senior Sunday" became extra special as all three seniors scored in double digits. Leslie Wadhams (Burlington, VT) led the senior class with 17 points. Senior Kianesha Dennis (Lynn, MA) added 16 points while senior Jackie Streeter (Westminster, MA) chipped in 12 points.

Both the Women and the Men will travel to Maine next weekend. Fisher will play at Maine-Fort Kent on Friday followed by games at Maine-Presque Isle on Saturday and Maine-Machias on Monday.

Keeping the Streak Alive!

Roxbury, MA - The Fisher College Men's Basketball team extended their winning streak to 19 games with a 103-86 win over SUNY-Canton. Junior Louis Williams (Burlington, VT) scored a game high 21 points while fellow classmate, Casey Pursell (Seattle, WA) added 20 points. Also scoring in double digits were Ryan Henry (Westwood, NJ), 19 points, Oscar Brown (Buffalo, NY), 17 points, and freshman Jasmin Handanovic (Milford, NH), who added 13 points. Brown also collected 11 rebounds, that is his fifth double-double of the season.

With the win, Fisher improves its record to 21-1 and 8-0 in the Sunrise Conference. The 21-1 mark is the NAIA Division II's best overall record. Fisher will return to the court tomorrow afternoon at 1 pm. It will be "Senior Sunday" at Madison Park Community Center as we say goodbye to Henry, Juan Inoa (Methuen, MA) and Pursell

Even though Pursell is a junior, he will be graduating early to pursue his Master's Degree.

Women's Basketball

Roxbury, MA - Junior Tiffany Beckman (East Hartford, CT) scored 20 points in a tough 62-54 loss to SUNY-Canton. Seniors Jackie Streeter (Westminster, MA) and Leslie Wadhams (Burlington, VT) scored 15 points and 14 points, respectively. Also Wadhams recorded her fifth double-double of the season as she pulled down 12 rebounds.

Tomorrow is "Senior Sunday" at Madison Park Community Center. The women's team will tip off at 11am against Paul Smiths College. Come on down and say goodbye to the three seniors - Streeter, Wadhams and Kianesha Dennis (Lynn, MA).

Eight is Enough

For the complete story of "Eight is Enough", please click on this link.

http://naia.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl-div2/spec-rel/020410aaa.html

It will bring you to the NAIA web site where it is posted.

Thank You.

-AP